Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) provided equipment for water evacuation to help Senegalese citizens whose homes and workplaces were affected by severe flooding in Senegal.
To facilitate the return of 1,600 families displaced by the flood disaster in the city of Touba, Senegal TİKA provided 3 high-capacity water pumps, along with water pipes, hoses and 200 sets of boots, raincoats and safety vests.
The equipment was handed over to officials from the Touba Municipality for distribution to affected families.
Heavy rainfall on September 17-18, 2024, caused significant damage in the city, where the inadequate sewage infrastructure contributed to severe flooding, resulting in the loss of three lives.
Abdoul Lahad Ka, the mayor of Touba, a city with a population of approximately one million, expressed his gratitude to TİKA and the Turkish people for their swift response to the community’s urgent needs.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), in collaboration with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Lesotho Red Cross Society (LRCS), donated 2,000 saplings to Lesotho’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry to support environmental protection efforts in the Kingdom of Lesotho. A ceremony was held at Fatima Primary School in rural Ha Ramabanta, where 200 of the saplings were planted on the eve of Lesotho’s Independence Day.
The climate crisis has emerged as one of Africa’s greatest challenges, resulting in floods and drought-induced food crises across the continent. As part of its efforts to combat this issue, the IFRC aimed to plant 10 million trees in Africa, starting at the end of 2021 and continuing through 2030. Meanwhile, King Letsie III of Lesotho has announced a target of planting 1 million trees in his country by early 2024. To support this initiative, TİKA has provided grape, apple, peach and pine saplings, along with equipment and fertilizer, to the Lesotho Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
The 100 apple and 100 peach saplings delivered by TİKA were planted with the participation of students at Fatima Primary School in Ha Ramabanta. School Principal Matumelo Ramanamane expressed his gratitude, highlighting the project’s contribution to the health and well-being of the students. He also stated that the school would take excellent care of the saplings, which are a gift from the Republic of Türkiye.
Harry Nkhetse, President of the Lesotho Red Cross Society, emphasized the importance of long-term partnerships in the fight against climate change and expressed his commitment to strengthening cooperation with TİKA and other stakeholders.
TİKA Pretoria Program Coordinator Abdulkadir Abukan provided examples of TİKA’s projects focused on global food security and combating the climate crisis, highlighting the significance of this initiative in addressing landslides and food security in Lesotho. He expressed his gratitude to the IFRC, the Lesotho Red Cross Society and the Government of Lesotho for their cooperation.
Kopano Masilo, Head of Operations of the IFRC Pretoria Cluster, thanked TİKA for its support and emphasized the project’s importance in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. He stated that this initiative, which commemorates Lesotho’s 200th anniversary by planting 2,000 trees, will significantly contribute to environmental sustainability and food security in the country.
Türkiye’s Ambassador to Pretoria, Ms. Ayşegül Kandaş, commended the collaboration between TİKA, the IFRC and the Lesotho Red Cross Society, noting that the tree-planting initiative will contribute to long-term food security and climate resilience in the region.
Speaking on behalf of the Government of Lesotho, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry reiterated the government’s support for environmental protection projects. He emphasized that such initiatives play a crucial role in safeguarding Lesotho’s natural resources and promoting sustainable development.
Kingdom of Lesotho
Lesotho is a landlocked country entirely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. Often referred to as the “Kingdom in the Sky” and the “Mountain Kingdom,” the country has a population of approximately 2 million. With an altitude of 1,400 meters even at its lowest point, Lesotho’s economy is primarily based on agriculture, and it faces challenges from natural disasters such as floods and landslides. The saplings donated by TİKA are expected to play a significant role in addressing these issues.
TİKA supplied technical equipment to the largest and only vocational training school in the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire that specializes in jewelry education.
The support included 3D printers, laser welding machines and other equipment used in jewelry production for the Vocational Training School.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, Prof. Dr. Burhanettin Duran; Minister of Technical Education, Vocational Training and Apprenticeship of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, Koffi N’Guessan; Türkiye’s Ambassador to Abidjan, Deniz Erdoğan Barım, along with many guests, attended the ceremony held at the school in Abidjan, the commercial capital of Côte d’Ivoire.
During his meeting with Minister N’Guessan at the ceremony, Deputy Minister Duran highlighted that one of Türkiye’s main priorities in Africa is supporting youth education, employment and the sustainable development of nations. He emphasized that Türkiye will continue its development projects through TİKA in the coming period.
Minister N’Guessan expressed his gratitude for Türkiye’s support for the people and youth of Côte d’Ivoire, noting that Türkiye’s development projects make significant contributions to the future of the country’s youth.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has established a digital learning center in the Wadi al-Joz region, where Palestinian women will receive training in digital marketing, graphic design and project management.
Thanks to the initiatives of the Young Muslim Women’s Association, established in 1979, vocational training is being offered to Palestinian women and youth in the Wadi al-Joz region in areas such as fashion design, tailoring and hairdressing.
In addition to these training programs, TİKA converted an unused hall within the association into a digital training space, allowing for courses in digital marketing, graphic design and project management.
The opening ceremony of the center was attended by İsmail Çobanoğlu, the Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in Jerusalem; Orhan Aydın, TİKA’s Coordinator in Palestine; Nadine Ghawanmeh, President of the Young Muslim Women’s Association; Louay Al-Husseini, General Manager of the Jerusalem Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and members of the association’s board.
100 women to participate in a 260-hour training program
In the first stage, three different training courses will be organized for 100 women, including 70 hours of digital marketing, 70 hours of graphic design and 120 hours of project management. These programs aim to equip participants with the essential knowledge and practical skills needed for success in the business environment.
Training programs will be offered in digital marketing for 70 hours, graphic design for 70 hours and project management for 120 hours.
A total of 100 women will have the opportunity to participate in these courses to acquire the essential knowledge and skills needed for success in the business environment.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) extended Türkiye’s helping hand to the Turkish and Tatar communities who were impacted by the flood disaster in Amzacea, Constanta, Romania.
Romania is continuing its efforts to recover from the flood disaster that struck the town of Amzacea in Constanta on August 31, impacting around 60 households.
Due to excessive rainfall, the water channel in the town of Amzacea overflowed, leading to a regional flood disaster. Although there was no loss of life in the town, which saw 300 liters of rainfall per square meter within 48 hours, material damage affected approximately 40 households, including those of the Turkish and Tatar communities.
Families affected by the flood disaster in Amzacea, where Turks and Tatars make up approximately 15% of the population, were visited by TİKA officials. The agency replaced the damaged white goods and furniture of 15 families with new items. Additionally, construction materials were provided to assist with repairing their homes.
A total of 20 tons of construction materials, along with 11 washing machines, 4 refrigerators, 21 beds and 14 cabinets, were provided.
The delivery program in Amzacea was attended by current Mayor Romică Stan, incoming Mayor Adrian Gobeaja, who will assume office in November, and the Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye, Ozan Çakır.
800 aid packages delivered to those in need
Romania, which experienced its heaviest rainfall in 20 years, was hit by a devastating flood on September 15. The disaster claimed seven lives and affected more than 20,000 people.
In response, TİKA provided 800 aid packages containing food and hygiene supplies to the affected families.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has initiated emergency aid efforts in response to the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon following the airstrikes that began on September 23, 2024.
As a wave of migration occurs, particularly from the southern cities of Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley to Beirut and the northern regions, the Lebanese government has declared a state of emergency and decided to utilize schools and public facilities to accommodate the sheltering needs of displaced citizens.
TİKA continues to support regions in need during this challenging time. In this context, 4,000 beds, blankets and 5 tons of hygiene supplies have been distributed.
TİKA, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Beirut and more than 30 Lebanese public institutions and civil society organizations, jointly distributed humanitarian aid materials across various regions of the country.
TİKA’s assistance also reached Turkmens living in Northern Lebanon, Syrian Turkmens in Lebanon, Mardin-origin compatriots in Beirut and Palestinian refugees residing in camps.
TİKA did not forget its stakeholders with whom it had previously collaborated on projects. In this context, humanitarian aid supplies were provided to the Bir Hassan Tourism Vocational High School, which has been converted into a shelter center, and to the Beirut Hassan Khaled High School, which continues its educational activities in the building of the Ottoman-era Beirut Military Middle School.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) distributed school supplies to 600 students attending rural village schools in Iloilo Province, Philippines.
In an event organized in collaboration with TİKA and the Philippine Ministry of Education, school bags and essential stationery were distributed to 600 students at Libo-o and Tabugan Elementary Schools to mark the beginning of the 2024-2025 academic year.
The ceremony at Libo-o and Tabugan Elementary Schools was attended by Dingle Municipality representatives, Arlena Relator and Janet Vestido; TİKA’s Coordinator in Manila, İbrahim Katırcı along with school principals, teachers and students.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dingle Municipality Representative Arlena Relator emphasized that TİKA’s support was significant for underprivileged students and their families stating, “On behalf of the people of the Philippines, I would like to thank the Republic of Türkiye.”
TİKA‘s Coordinator İbrahim Katırcı highlighted that one of TİKA’s primary goals in the Philippines is to reduce inequality of opportunity in education. He noted that the support provided today serves this purpose and announced that they will be implementing more educational projects in different regions of the country in the near future.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has donated a vehicle to the Muslim community in Vietnam, designated for use in patient and funeral transport services.
At the request of the Islamic Community of An Giang Province in Vietnam, a vehicle was provided through the cooperation of TİKA and the Turkish Embassy in Hanoi to assist with patient transport and funeral services.
The vehicle was handed over to authorities in Ho Chi Minh City, chosen for its central location, as the country’s only Muslim cemetery is in An Giang Province.
This vehicle will serve both for patient transport and for transporting deceased Muslims to their hometowns.
Speaking at the project handover ceremony, Ho Chi Minh Deputy Governor Nguyen Duc Tien expressed his gratitude to TİKA and Türkiye for their support. Tien stated, “TİKA has supported Vietnamese Muslims for many years. I extend my heartfelt greetings to the people of Türkiye.”
A team of 18 healthcare professionals from Türkiye, in collaboration with Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) and the Friends of All Africa Association (TADD), offered voluntary medical services to hundreds of people in the city of Jinja, Uganda, where access to healthcare is limited. The initiative was part of an 11-day mission.
The Turkish healthcare team, made up of specialist doctors, nurses, anesthesia technicians and civil society volunteers, brought smiles to the faces of hundreds of Ugandans through free medical examinations and surgeries.
Approximately 1,500 people were examined, and nearly 100 surgeries were performed during the initiative, which included specialists in general surgery, urology, ear, nose and throat, gynecology and plastic surgery, with a primary focus on surgical procedures.
Ugandan doctors and nurses also took part in the surgeries performed by Turkish doctors, gaining the opportunity to enhance their professional skills.
As part of the initiative, held for the fourth time, 56 boxes of medical supplies were utilized for treatments and surgeries with the remaining supplies handed over to the Ugandan Ministry of Health.
“We conducted an efficient operation tailored to Ugandan conditions”
Dr. Bilgehan Güntekin, President of TADD, made a statement about the health initiative at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, the second largest hospital in Uganda. He shared that this was their fourth visit to Uganda, during which they performed nearly 100 surgeries and conducted approximately 1,500 examinations.
Güntekin stated, “The biggest support we received while organizing this event came from TİKA, for which we are very grateful. We had specialists in plastic surgery, general surgery, urology, gynecology and ear, nose and throat medicine participating in this health initiative. We conducted an efficient operation tailored to Ugandan conditions.”
Güntekin emphasized that the cost of surgeries ranges from $3,000 to $6,000, which is prohibitively expensive for many Ugandans. He noted, “Even if they can afford this amount, finding qualified surgeons to perform the procedures is extremely challenging. Therefore, the operations we provide are invaluable for our brothers and sisters here.”
Güntekin stated that local doctors also participated in the surgeries, providing them with an opportunity to enhance their experience and knowledge.
“The people are extremely grateful to you for all your efforts”
Jinja MP Manjeri Kyebakutika expressed gratitude to Türkiye and the volunteer doctors for their efforts in the health organization, emphasizing the significance of the activity conducted in cooperation with TİKA and TADD.
Kyebakutika stated, “Difficult surgeries, such as plastic surgery, hernia repairs and mass operations, which are not commonly performed in Uganda, were successfully carried out. We have observed that Turkish doctors excel in these procedures. As a result, the people here are extremely grateful for all your efforts. While many similar organizations focus on treating cases like hypertension and malaria, TADD volunteers provided surgeries that are prohibitively expensive in Uganda, all at no cost.”
Additionally, the Turkish health team returned to Türkiye after distributing gifts, food and stationery to Ugandan students and those in need.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has begun restoration efforts at the Najashi Complex, which sustained damage during the conflict in Ethiopia.
The restoration of Najashi’s Tomb, Mosque and the tombs of 15 Companions in Mekele, located in Ethiopia’s Tigray state—the first Muslim settlement in Africa—was originally completed by TİKA in 2020 and handed over to the Tigray Culture and Tourism Bureau.
Approximately eight months later, the mosque’s minaret and dome were damaged during attacks amid ongoing clashes in the region.
With the cessation of hostilities, restoration work has resumed on the damaged sections of the Najashi Complex.
A project agreement outlining the scope of the restoration, the responsibilities of both parties and other relevant matters was signed between TİKA and the Tigray Culture and Tourism Bureau.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has supported the construction of a new service building for a primary school in Afghanistan. The school was also equipped with educational materials, furniture and computers, and its surroundings were landscaped.
The new service building of Mahcube Hirevi Primary School, located in Mazar-i-Sharif city, has officially opened. This primary school, constructed with the support of TİKA, features landscaped surroundings and newly created playgrounds and social areas.
As part of the project, educational materials and equipment were provided for 1,500 students.
The opening ceremony of the project was attended by the Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in Mazar-i-Sharif, Kasım Kaban; the Deputy Governor of Balkh Province, Elhac Mevlevi Nur-ul Hadi Ebu Idris; TİKA’s Coordinator in Mazar-i-Sharif, Mikail Taşdemir; the Director of National Education of Balkh Province, Mufti Mohammad Sharif Abu Asim Osmani; as well as local administrators, teachers and students.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Consul General Kaban emphasized that the TİKA project strengthens the bonds of friendship between Türkiye and Afghanistan. He highlighted that the students who grow up here will play vital roles in the reconstruction of Afghanistan and expressed his gratitude to all those who contributed to the realization of the project.
Idris, the Deputy Governor of Balkh Province, stated that Türkiye supports Afghanistan in every field, emphasizing the significance of this school for the country’s future.
TİKA’s Coordinator in Mazar-i-Sharif, Taşdemir noted that since 2005, TİKA has implemented nearly 200 projects in the northern provinces of Afghanistan with 60 of those in the field of education.
Taşdemir also mentioned that in addition to Mahcube Hirevi Primary School 50 more schools have been built in the region, providing a modern educational environment for 25,000 students across a total of 620 classrooms.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has inaugurated a sewing workshop at the school for hearing and speech-impaired children in Kosovo.
TİKA inaugurated the sewing workshop at Nene Tereza School for the Hearing and Speech Impaired, the only institution in the country dedicated to children with hearing and speech impairments, located in Prizren.
The opening ceremony of the sewing workshop was attended by several dignitaries, including Arbërie Nagavci, the Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation of Kosovo; Sabri Tunç Angılı, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Pristina; and Celal Doğan, the Consul General of Türkiye in Prizren. Also present were Colonel Zafer Sağlam, Head of the Turkish Mission in Kosovo; Fulya Aslan, TİKA’s Coordinator in Kosovo; Hüsamedin Beshi, Director of the Prizren School for the Hearing and Speech Impaired; along with numerous officials from Turkish and Kosovo institutions as well as teachers and students. The workshop was established to provide vocational skills to children with hearing and speech disabilities, helping them build self-confidence and become active members of society.
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Kosovo’s Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Arbërie Nagavci expressed her gratitude to TİKA for the equipment support, which will significantly contribute to the vocational training of students at the Nene Tereza School for the Hearing and Speech Impaired.
Türkiye’s Ambassador to Kosovo, Sabri Tunç Angılı stated that education knows no age and recognizes no barriers. He emphasized that investing in education not only shapes the future but also enhances the beauty of our world and lives. The Ambassador expressed his gratitude to TİKA for implementing the project and sincerely wished that the children who train in the sewing workshop will discover a profession they love and achieve their dreams in the future.
“I Overcome My Disability with Türkiye Program”
TİKA’s Coordinator in Kosovo, Fulya Aslan stated that TİKA is committed to improving the educational conditions for individuals in need of special education in the Balkans through the “I Overcome My Disability with Türkiye Program”. This initiative includes establishing special education classes and workshops and as a result, several important projects have been implemented in Kosovo.
Stating that the project will enable children with hearing and speech disabilities to gain vocational skills and enter the workforce, Aslan emphasized that their goal extends beyond skill acquisition. They aim to enhance the self-confidence of individuals with special educational needs, foster their productivity and promote their integration into society.
The ceremony concluded with teachers and students expressing their satisfaction with the project.
